Lack of Facilities For Medical Research

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 20, 25 January 1937, Page 9

Lack of Facilities For Medical Research

The need for the setting up in New Zealand of a Medical Research Council, the establishment of research institutions with highly qualified staffs, and the provision of a fund for the continuance of the work, was stressed by Professor C. E. Hercus, of tho Otago Medical School, in delivering tho Symo Oration at the opening of tho Surgeons’ Conference at Auckland. “Tho position is anomalous,’* he declared, after referring to the sums annually expended on research in industrial and agricultural problems. "Organised research into tho causes of the diseases of man had had to give precedence to problems confrontitng industry. The position is still more anomalous when the large sums expended on hospital construction is considered. There is a lack of balance in the whole situation.” Professor Hercus traversed the whole

field of research that was opeu in New Zealand, and urged that the first requirement of this counttry in dealing with the health of the people was the setting up of a medical research council, similar to the one recently formed in Australia, and the provision of a fund to allow it to operate. This council would control and co-ordinato all epi* demiological, clinical anl laboratory research on medical and dental problems. “The establishment of an institute of medical research where fundamental problems can be investigated is essential,” he said. “Such an institution would require to be staffed by a team of carefully selected and thoroughly trained men of special ability. They must be free from political interference and from demands for quick results. Improved facilities for public education in health are also required. Immense opportunities for the application and extension of preventive medicine lie ahead.